Pat O’Brien to Retire; Mike Grace Named New President

Chicago, April 19, 2018 – The Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) announced today that President Pat O’ Brien will be retiring this summer after 32 years with the BRC including the last 16 years as its’ President. Mike Grace has been selected to follow Pat as BRC President.

“Over his years with the BRC, Pat has had a tremendous impact in leading the Belt Railway. The BRC Board of Directors thank him for his innumerable contributions and recognize the legacy he is leaving behind. We also look forward to the contributions that Mike will make with the BRC in the future,” said Rob Reilly, BRC Chairman and BNSF VP South Region.

Succeeding Pat will be Mike Grace who comes to the BRC with 38 years of railroad experience in a variety of Operations leadership roles with the Norfolk Southern. Most recently Mike has led the NS Dearborn Division as its Division Superintendent.

About The Belt Railway Company of Chicago

The Belt Railway is the largest intermediate switching terminal railroad in the United States, employing approximately 450 people. The Belt has 28 miles of mainline route with more than 300 miles of switching tracks, allowing it to interchange with every railroad serving the Chicago rail hub. The Belt’s Clearing Yard spans a 5.5-mile distance among 786 acres, supporting more than 250 miles of track.

The Belt Railway has the ability to service, by rail, approximately 50 industries. It also offers unique industrial and intermodal facility development opportunities – reasonable land value, taxes, and zoning requirements, planned especially for markets seeking a neutral locale with competitive access. A location on the Belt Railway is equivalent to having a location on each Chicago Railroad.